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When they were both done, Au'revele stood and carefully arranged all her dishes and silverware in a neat stack for whoever cleaned her table to pick up.

“Why do you do that?” Zahn asked.

“I feel badly enough that anyone has to pick up after me. Anything I can do to save them even a few seconds is the least I can do.”

“It’s their job to pick up after you.”

“No, it’s their job to pick up after those who live in the palace.”

“You live in the palace.”

“I’m also a servant, just like they are.”

“You are not a servant. You are a trusted friend of the Sirena. And you will be a beloved carer of her new youngling.”

“I still don’t like to be taken care of. I’m capable, and don’t deserve any special treatment.”

“You are a stubborn female.”

“You are an unpleasant male.”

“You don’t even know me.”

“Nor do you know me. Are you ready to follow me to my quarters now?” she asked, standing from organizing her dishes and looking at him disdainfully.

“Lead on,” he said, dramatically gesturing with his hand in the direction they needed to go.

Au'revele walked past him, not looking back to make sure he was there — she had no doubt that he was.

As they turned into the corridor, she looked over her shoulder at him. “My door is right there at the other end. You can go now. I’ll be fine.”

“I know where your door is. And I was told to make sure you’re safe. I was not told to get you halfway home.”

“Zahn…”

“I’d almost believe you hate me,” he taunted her, with her own accusations of his feelings for her.

Au'revele ignored his words for the moment and just kept walking. Once she reached her door, she unlocked it and stepped inside, turning to face him. “I don’t hate you, Zahn. I’ve just spent too many years surrounded by people who so obviously don’t approve of me that I refuse to expose myself to the same thing again. At least not any more than necessary to be able to perform my responsibilities. I like our Sirena, and our Sire, and I can’t wait to form a bond with our newest Sire. I’m sorry you don’t like me, but I’m not going away. Neither will I endure your obvious disapproval. We don’t have to like each other, but we have to be civil. Can we please at least agree to that? Now, thank you for seeing me safely home.” She closed the door and locked it.

He stood there, facing her door, listening to the lock engage as he wondered what had just happened. Before he knew what he was doing he was knocking forcefully on her door. “Au'revele! Open the door.”

It took a few minutes, but eventually, Au'revele did return and open the door. “What is it Zahn?” she asked tiredly through a small opening in the door.

Zahn pushed the door further open until he could see all of her standing there and not just her face.

Au'revele looked at the door, now standing wide open, then at him. She started to speak to him about not having the right to force her door open, but he stepped forward quickly, took her face in both of his hands and held her still while he brought his lips down roughly on hers.

She was so stunned she didn’t even think to pull away or try to push him away from her. Instead, she allowed him to kissher, opening for him when his tongue forced its way against the seam of her lips in its quest to tease her own tongue into play.

Zahn tilted her head, placing it where he wanted it as he devoured her mouth, turning his head to the right, then to the left to explore her mouth like it was the very air he breathed to live.

The kiss was something she’d never experienced, at least not like this. It was demanding, controlling, passionate and tempting all at the same time. She felt like the most desired female alive. But then, it stopped just as suddenly as it started.

Zahn lifted his head, but maintained his hold on hers, both hands framing her face, keeping her from fully pulling away from him.

Slowly she opened her eyes and looked at him with a dazed expression.

“I do not hate you. Quite the opposite. And if anyone dares to treat you as if they do, they will answer to me. Am I clear?”

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